Daughter Jill arrived this evening with 26 yards of flannel. I am going to be busy cutting and sewing. I have decided to not only make the 4 x 4 inch bandages, but will also try some 6 x 10 inch pieces to use instead of paper towels and some 4 x 7 inch pieces for what is known in polite society as family cloths (washable TP). The way I look at it, the more I use washables instead of use and toss, the easier it will be to store. Rolls of paper towels and TP take up space I just don't have. Fabric can be folded and stored in a much smaller space. And as a bonus, I will save money that can go for other preps I can not make at home.
So I will return in a couple of days and let you know how it all works out. In the meantime, if you haven't already read Frank and Fern's latest article, you should. The link is in the side bar. It is definitely worth your time.
This and That
6 hours ago
I will be interested in seeing how your flannel project turns out, Vicki. How do you plan to launder your family cloths? Not something many people want to discuss, but I think it's important.
ReplyDeleteThanks for recommending our article, we appreciate it.
Fern
Fern...I think I can just wash them separately in my little apartment sized washer. If there is no electricity, I have one of those commercial yellow mop buckets with the attachment to squeeze water out of a mop that can double as a way to squeeze water from anything fabric. Also have a plunger set aside for agitating clothes or whatever in the bucket. And if all else fails, I am not squeamish - I can wash them by hand.
DeleteI have been reluctant to discuss this type of thing - mainly because there are those who think I am already a bit nuts, what with all the canning and dehydrating and stockpiling. But I feel we are getting too close for comfort to whatever horrors are waiting around the corner. Now is the time to get serious if we haven't already. The two items people ran out of first in Venezuela were food and toilet paper. I am doing everything I can think of not to follow suit.
You're no nut, Vicki! I wish I lived closer to you. You could teach us all SO MUCH! YOU ROCK!
DeleteBorn at the tail end of the baby boom, I "came after" the times when most people did the kind of things you do. There are few left where I live who do these things or at least KNOW HOW to do them. Folks like you are a treasure!
As for cleaning the family cloths, I don't see them as being any different than cloth diapers. I came after canning, but before Pampers. ...I can still smell the diaper pail on a hot Long Island summer day... Bleach, detergent, and hot water. We all survived cloth diapers...
None of us can afford to be "reluctant" these days...
Pete...I was born at the beginning of the 'baby boom,' and I think that my parents and grandparents were still in the war rationing mode, or had lived through the Great Depression. In either case, frugality was a must. Mother sewed my clothes and taught me to do the same. Gardening wasn't a hobby, but was necessary as was the preservation of food. Some of us went on to live on farms where we learned about raising meat animals, as well as the butchering and preservation of the meat. All those things I learned were necessary back then for survival. These days, the younger ones just buy whatever they want and those old ways are being lost, which is sad, for I fear the time will come when we will need those skills again. I am of the opinion that one of the biggest mistakes made by the public school system is getting rid of Home Economics and Shop classes.
DeleteHaving raised four children using cloth diapers, the laundering of family cloths is not a big deal. But I think I will need to find something less odorous than a diaper pail to hold them until laundry day. :)
I agree that we can not be reluctant these days. I have a sneaking suspicion that time may be short.
Happy sewing.
ReplyDeleteFunny enough, family clothes are on my to-buy list next. I almost mentioned them when I was telling you about buying hankies. And, no, my hankies are not dainty lady-like ones. Well maybe two are flowery and pink. The rest are old fashioned men's hankies including one bandana-style in camo.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...The practical and common sense side of me figures that I need an alternative to TP, should the time come when it is either unavailable or too costly. And the fact that I can't just run to the store when I run out is a factor. Grandma used the old Sears & Roebuck catalog in the outhouse on her farm. Since that is no longer available, seems to me the family cloth is a pretty good solution.
DeleteI thought about the dainty ladies handkerchiefs because of my Mother, who adored the lacy, flowery ones, back when women always carried a pretty handkerchief. Gawd, but I am old, when I can remember a time before Kleenex!! I remember Dad always had those nice, white men's handkerchiefs, sometimes with his initial in the corner, that he used on Sundays. Wish I had some of those, but I make due with a stack of bandannas. :)
the questions are if toilet paper is gone will there be bleach to disinfect cloth wipes? and if water supply and sewerage treatment fails what will we do about disposing of washing and rinsing water?
Deletedeb...My grandmother and her daughters were young women before the invention of sanitary napkins. They used folded over rags and washed them after each use using hot water heated on a wood stove and handmade soap. Even if there is no bleach, the cloths can still be washed clean.
DeleteGrandma dumped the water from her wash tub onto her hollyhocks outside her back door and they thrived. I expect she also just dumped it onto the grass by the house. She had no running water and no sewage system except for an outhouse. They survived and I expect we could, too. :)
Vicki I've been using flour sack and terry cloth towels for years. When they get a bit stained, into a mild bleach solution for a soak. I did read in a Prepper novel of using a mild solution of pool shock for the family cloths. Not sure how that works or how long the FCs would last.
ReplyDeleteRed
Red...I like the flour sack dishtowels better than any other and use the terry cloth ones as well. I'm not so sure abut using pool shock, but have read that some use Oxiclean with detergent for washing family cloths. I think I am more comfortable with a mild bleach soak, hot water and soap.
DeleteVicki, at some point in the not-so-distant future we may be compelled to do quite a number of things that most of us have never had to do. Those that would turn their nose up at the thought of using the family cloths most likely are the same ones that have no clue as to how bleak the future could become for all of us. Like you, I would rather find alternative ways to deal with everyday tasks now rather than finding myself in an panic later. Thank you for sharing...CW
ReplyDeleteCW...I'm pretty sure the people in Venezuela never thought some of them would be looking for dinner in a dumpster. Or standing in line for hours to get a roll of TP - if it is even available. As you well know, just because we live in the US is no guarantee that disaster will not strike. I spent about $80 on flannel, but that will pay for itself in a very short period of time. And I won't have to buy bandage pads, paper towels or TP probably ever again. (I am old, after all. :) It was well worth it. Those same ones who turn up their noses at using the fabric substitutes are likely the same ones who expect the government to take care of them. In a SHTF situation, they will be waiting a very long time.
DeleteOutside we are up to our arm pits in snow. Just to be different your up to your arm pits indoors in flannel. If we don't hear back from you we all will assume your buried in a flannel avalanche.
ReplyDeletePS I'm loving the Rain vs the Snow
Rob...If you don't hear from me in a week, send a rescue crew armed with scissors to cut me out of the flannel avalanche. :)
DeleteSure is nice to see moisture falling that doesn't need to be shoveled!
I've had reusable paper towels on my list of to-do's for a while now. I just need the time to get them made. That's great you got that much flannel.
ReplyDeleteKristina...It just makes sense to me to use cloth wherever possible. I am not a big 'save the planet' person. It is more a matter of saving space and saving money. I got lucky to catch a really good fabric sale at my local JoAnn Fabric store and to have a daughter who was willing to lug a couple of bolts of fabric up the stairs to my apartment. :)
Deletevicki saw a video ABOUT APPALACHIAN LIFE AND THE LADY WRAPPED SAUSAGE/ BISCUIT SANDWICHES IN CLOTH FOR HER HUSBAND TO TAKE FOR LUNCH. I CANNOT FIND IT AS WE HAD TO MOVE UNDER DURESS AND NOW HAVE NO COMPUTER SERVICE [TOO EXPENSIVE].
ReplyDeleteI THINK FERN OF FRANK AND FERN DID THE SAME WITH SQUARES OF CLOTH TREATED WITH BEESWAX. VERY INTERESTING DIDN'T KNOW IF THE APPALACHIAN LIFE VIDEO WAS OF WAX TREATED CLOTH WISH I COULD FIND IT AGAIN.
OUR ANCESTORS MUST HAVE HAD A LOT OF WAYS TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS THAT ARE LOST TO US. THEY HAD TO LIVE SOMEHOW.
SORRY ABOUT CAPS ERRANT LITTLE FINGER
LOVE, DEB H.
deb...I have seen videos of making beeswax coated food wraps and bowl covers. Some sprinkle beeswax pellets on cloth that is on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, heat it in a very low oven until the wax melts. Others just melt the wax and apply it to the cloth with a paint brush. They say it is important to make sure the cloth is completely saturated with the wax.
DeleteThey also say the wax covered cloths can be cleaned by running cold water over them or wiping them with a cold, wet cloth. Warm ware could melt the wax.
When using as a bowl cover, the heat from your hands will soften the wax enough to mold to the top of the bowl. Or I have seen where they fasten it in place with a rubber band around the top of the bowl. When using as as food wrap, the wax coated cloth is pliable enough to fold over. Some tie the package with string and others just set it in the fridge with the folded edges on the bottom to hold it together.
They also say it is important to use 100% beeswax, which can be a bit spendy, but the cheap stuff from China has chemicals where usually the wax from here is pure. This is something I would like to try, but just have too many projects going to start another.
It's official, my laptop is on its last legs. So if I'm AWOL any time soon, know I'm fine but my tech abilities tanked.
ReplyDeleteToo funny about the hankies. I have a stash from my Aunt that I don't use with her initials and embroidery. I also remember ironing my Dad's hankies --my mom was elated when I was tall enough to start ironing and Dad's hankies became a weekly chore.
Are you cutting all that flannel with a rotary cutter? Just curious.
Cheers, SJ
Oh No, SJ...I hope you can breathe some more life into it. Let me know when you are able.
DeleteOur mothers had us ironing nearly everything, didn't they. I remember ironing the hankies and those flour sack dishtowels. She even made me iron Dad's boxers, for pity sake!!
I use a cutting mat and a rotary cutter. I am not very good at keeping the large plastic ruler in place, so quilt pieces are drawn around a template and cut with a scissors. But with what I am working on right now, it doesn't matter if I am off a quarter of an inch. It is TP, for heaven sake. As I don't want to make this project my life's work, I am zipping through as quickly as possible. :)
Glad to know you're not using scissors on all that flannel!
ReplyDeleteToo funny about your Dad's boxers.My Dad had his ironed as little boy. My Mom refused to iron his shorts but my stepmom did. Too funny really. But I suppose if all cotton was line dried, it might really matter?
Turns out I downloaded an 'upgrade' to my security software that was slowing my laptop. Or rather, grinding my laptop to a full stop. I think that was the problem anyway. It took most of yesterday morning to figure out the work around. So, I've avoided a major purchase for now. But it's coming. This laptop is almost 6 years old.
Have a great day with your sewing. SJ
SJ...So glad you got your laptop to work again. I have to admit to learning a few new colorful swear words while working on mine. :)
DeleteIt seems mothers back then were obsessed with ironing nearly everything. I always thought it was a plot to keep me busy and out of mischief.
I might not be doing this flannel project if I had to use scissors! I love my rotary cutter! Am spending this afternoon cutting and stacking with the hope of sewing over the weekend. The sun is shining. It is warm enough to have opened a window for a while. Life is good!!
Great post. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ghost Mannequin...and thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Deleteesenler
ReplyDeletekütahya
sarıyer
serdivan
siirt
Q872Y
fatih
ReplyDeletependik
arnavutköy
bitlis
edirne
İQL
yurtdışı kargo
ReplyDeleteresimli magnet
instagram takipçi satın al
yurtdışı kargo
sms onay
dijital kartvizit
dijital kartvizit
https://nobetci-eczane.org/
2L1JSK
urfa
ReplyDeleteantakya
ısparta
aydın
diyarbakır
YJ78İ